California Gov. Gavin Newsom is a term-limited Democrat with national ambitions. He's been trying to appeal to the political center as he contemplates his next career move.

It comes amid lingering questions over funding, all as the state faces a $12 billion deficit. Gov. Newsom made it clear that he is reinforcing his support for a project he believes will transform the future of California.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s May 14 revision of the state budget reduced proposed funding cuts to the UC. While Newsom’s initial January budget proposed that the state cut $396.6 million of the UC’s funding, his revised May budget would cut only $129.